Dr. LaShawn Thompson participates in Human Trafficking presentation

Dr. LaShawn Thompson participates in Human Trafficking presentation

Alcorn State University psychology professor Dr. LaShawn Thompson helped shed light on an issue that people may not be aware of.

Thompson, along with other members of the Human Rights Committee associated with the Mississippi Counseling Association, participated in the ethics presentation, “Human Trafficking in Mississippi: A Counselor’s Ethical Responsibilities,” Saturday, Feb. 27 at the Smith Robertson Museum in Jackson, Mississippi.

Human trafficking is a form of modern day slavery in which traffickers use force, fraud or coercion to control victims for the purpose of engaging in commercial sex acts or labor services against his/her will. The purpose of the presentation was to increase knowledge of human trafficking, encourage workers to share knowledge on the issue, evaluate incidences of human trafficking across the world, develop strategies to decrease human trafficking and discuss the code of ethics regarding advocacy for victims of human trafficking.

Thompson feels that it’s important to inform Mississippians about the issue.

“Human trafficking is a major issue in Mississippi,” said Thompson. “Recently, the state has begun to address these crimes by passing laws and creating agencies that handle human trafficking cases as they arise.”